Regulation of gut glutamine metabolism: role of hormones and cytokines

摘要

The use of glutamine by several types of rapidly-dividing cell such as enterocytes (Ashy & Ardawi, 1988), fibroblasts, malignant cells and reticulocytes (Rapaport et al. 1970; Newsholme et al. 1985) is well established. This has formed the basis for using this amino acid as an adjuvant nutritional supplement. The early studies of Windmueller and colleagues (Windmueller & Spaeth, 1974, 1975; Pinkus & Windmueller, 1977; Windmeuller, 1982), and later studies by others (Ardawi & Newsholme, 1985) have established the avidity of enterocytes and colonocytes to utilize glutamine as an energy source Little is known, however, about the various alterations in glutamine metabolism that occur during periods of stress. The present paper attempts to address some of the variables involved in intestinal glutamine metabolism during periods of stress. We have chosen to address the effects of various hormones and cytokines on the inter-organ metabolism of this amino acid. The data presented here have, in a large part, been generated in the conscious dog model.